City manager forecasts brighter fiscal days for Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool will report to City Council on Tuesday that property values are up in his city.

According to a report published in Sunday’s Macomb Daily, property values have increased by 16.80 percent, second highest to Utica in southeastern Michigan from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013.

“This is a good rate of return, in most cases, on an individual’s largest asset,” Vanderpool wrote in his most recent report to the council, which he will discuss at a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. “However, it’s important to note that the actual taxable value is capped at 1.6 percent.”

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Vanderpool said this increase is partly due to the city’s pro-active stance concerning foreclosed and vacant properties. He said they are being maintained to the standards of dwellings in which someone resides.

Vanderpool added the city’s Sterling Heights Initiative for Neighborhood Excellence program has helped keep property values up. He said the city’s code enforcement officers spend their time checking complaints about properties that are in disrepair, blighted or in violation of other ordinances.

“In the last year an estimated 8,500 properties were improved through the city’s SHINE program,” Vanderpool said.

The SHINE program works through the initiative of the city’s Community Relations office and a large list of volunteers. Employees and volunteers go out on Saturdays and clean up areas that need the most help.

Often they help people who are down and out and those with health problems who cannot get out and trim shrubs, paint and remove debris.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting Vanderpool will announce that the Michigan Challengers junior wheelchair basketball team, which recently won all six games and captured the tournament title in Philadelphia against other varsity teams, have qualified for the 23014 National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s championship.

“The Challengers are the first team from Michigan to qualify for the national championship,” Vanderpool said.

Additionally, council is expected to consider an application from Lounis, Lounis and Lounis to establish an Industrial Development District. The company is proposing to invest $367,905 in real property and $205,794 in personal property at 34100 Mound Rd.

The firm anticipates it will create 15 new jobs, said Sterling Heights assessor Dwayne G. McLachlan.

Also on Tuesday, council will consider the transfer of a Class C liquor license and dance permit to Karrumi Brothers, 44935 Hayes Rd. The current owner is 11th Frame Lounge at 43601 Van Dyke.

Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. meeting will be held in the council meeting chambers at City Hall, 40555 Utica Rd.